True to Myself

Eric Benet

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 24, 1996)
• Original Release Date: September 24, 1996
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Warner Bros / Wea
• ASIN: B000002N8B
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #13,496 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Like Luther Vandross, Eric Benet (pronounced beh-NAY) is an old-fashioned, romantic soul singer in the vein of Stevie Wonder and Al Green; Benet even includes a sample of Green's "Love and Happiness" in his own song, "More Than Just a Girlfriend." Unlike Vandross, however, Benet has also absorbed the funk-rock moves of Sly Stone, George Clinton and Prince, a connection emphasized by Benet's remake of Stone's, "If You Want Me To Stay." Many have tried, but few have combined these styles as effectively as Benet does on his debut solo album. Benet's tenor purrs with seductive soulfulness, but those vocals are surrounded by rocking wah-wah guitars, beeping synthesizers and funky, on-the-one drum patterns. --Geoffrey Himes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I LOVE ERIC, June 30, 2002

By	Tanika L. Carroll (McDonough, GA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The song "Can we stay together" is what got me hooked. Then one day I was watching BET and they showed his video "Feminitity", and oh boy it was on and poppin' then. I've been a fan ever since. Eric's music and voice just melts you. He has a beautiful voice. I have both of his CD's and I can't wait for his third album entitled "Better and Better". If you don't have this album you must get it now, along with his other album "A Day in the life".

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars True to His Listeners, July 26, 2002

By	"images_bytrish" (Columbus,OH USA) - See all my reviews

Have you ever bought a CD, took it home and popped it in the player only to find there were on a few songs that you liked on it? Well you wont be disappointed with the Eric Benet "True To Myself" CD. You see Eric didnt just put a CD together. He wanted to convey a message to his listeners. I believe every artist put a bit of themself in their music and whether Eric is sharing a bit of some personal reflections or not I believe we all can relate with the tunes on this CD. The music has a urban soulful sound and each songs lyrics has a message to make you reflect on lifes situations. When it all come down to your happiness, your future and decisions. Eric couldnt of put it any clearer be "True to Myself". This is one CD that you'll find yourself playing over and over again.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Retro review, August 20, 2005

By	A. Merritt (Gainesville, GA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've been waiting for an opportunity to post this review of Eric Benet's first album since it was first released in 1996. At the time I worked for a national record store chain and was doing everything I could to promote his album, including buying my own copy when I could have gotten a free promotional copy from the label rep and letting everyone know it.

"Eric Benet is one of the most exciting young singer/songwriters to come along since Brian McKnight burst on the R&B music scene in 1992. His songwriting is prolific, mature, and socially conscious without being sappy or overly sentimental. Benet wrote or co-wrote all but one of the tracks on his debut album, and his vocal delivery in each song is moving and convincing. From the funky opening groove of the title track, to the beautiful orchestration of "While You Were Here", a bittersweet, tearjerking ballad (dedicated to the memory of his daughter India's mother who died tragically in a car accident), Benet manages to capture the heart, mind and soul of the listener for the duration of this album.

The musicianship of his album personnel is often reminiscent of superband Mint Condition, and serves to enhance Benet's powerful vocals. The evidence of the influence of Stevie Wonder's vocal and arranging styles come through on this album, too, but not often enought to limit Benet from carving out his own niche in the R&B world. If this isn't this young artist's best work, then he and his fans are in for a long, enjoyable career."

Recommended tracks:
While You Were Here
Let's Stay Together
Femininity
Spiritual Thang
I'll Be There


I had the pleasure of meeting Eric Benet at a live performance/autograph signing at a local club called "The Warehouse" in Detroit, MI, when "True to Myself" was first released. Benet struck me as a very down to earth individual who was a very humble and talented artist. Of course, all this was prior to his very public courtship and marriage to Halle Berry and their subsequent break up. Even though the circumstances surrounding his split with Ms. Berry may have left some of his previous admirers questioning his character as an individual, his talent as an artist has not diminished and TRUE fans of his music will stick by him because his talent is undeniable. I have yet to purchase his latest album, "Hurricane", but I will be buying my copy soon! I love what I've heard of it and if the title track is any indication, Benet's fans have gotten another great set out of an accomplished artist whose musical growth has been borne out of his life experiences.